Nashua NH vs Waukegan IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Nashua, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 91,131
- Median HH Income$92,457
- Median Home Price$507,692
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
Waukegan, IL
Illinois · Population: 33,889
- Median HH Income$97,263
- Median Home Price$239,865
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Nashua
91,131
Nashua +
Waukegan
33,889
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Nashua
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
Median Age
Nashua
39.7
Waukegan
37.6
Waukegan +
Foreign Born
Nashua
16.4%
Waukegan
20.6%
Waukegan +
White
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Waukegan
61.9%
Black
Nashua
2.6%
Waukegan
11.2%
Waukegan +
Asian
Nashua
7.6%
Waukegan
11.3%
Waukegan +
Hispanic
Nashua
14.0%
Waukegan
16.4%
Waukegan +
Spanish at Home
Nashua
N/A
Waukegan
N/A
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 91,131 | 33,889 | Nashua + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 37.6 | Waukegan + |
| Foreign Born | 16.4% | 20.6% | Waukegan + |
| White | 75.1% | 61.9% | Nashua + |
| Black | 2.6% | 11.2% | Waukegan + |
| Asian | 7.6% | 11.3% | Waukegan + |
| Hispanic | 14.0% | 16.4% | Waukegan + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Nashua
$92,457
Waukegan
$97,263
Waukegan +
Per Capita Income
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Waukegan
$49,019
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Nashua
$75,331
Nashua +
Waukegan
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Nashua
4.8%
Waukegan
4.3%
Waukegan +
Poverty Rate
Nashua
7.1%
Waukegan
5.8%
Waukegan +
Bachelor's Degree+
Nashua
40.5%
Waukegan
46.1%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $92,457 | $97,263 | Waukegan + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,026 | $49,019 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $68,110 | Nashua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.3% | Waukegan + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 5.8% | Waukegan + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.5% | 46.1% | Waukegan + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Nashua
$507,692
Waukegan
$239,865
Waukegan +
Homeownership Rate
Nashua
56.4%
Waukegan
65.5%
Waukegan +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $507,692 | $239,865 | Waukegan + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.4% | 65.5% | Waukegan + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Waukegan
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
Waukegan
1842
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 344 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1842 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
33.2%
Nashua +
Waukegan
40.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Waukegan
14.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
Waukegan
16.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Waukegan
21.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Nashua
15.7%
Waukegan
14.8%
Waukegan +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Nashua
10.9%
Nashua +
Waukegan
14.3%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.2% | 40.2% | Nashua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.9% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 21.3% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 14.8% | Waukegan + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 14.3% | Nashua + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Waukegan
47.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Nashua
48.0 in
Waukegan
35.6 in
Waukegan +
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7°F | 47.8°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.0 in | 35.6 in | Waukegan + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Waukegan
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Nashua
75.0%
Nashua +
Waukegan
55.0%
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Nashua + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Nashua
27.6 min
Nashua +
Waukegan
33.7 min
| Metric | Nashua, NH | Waukegan, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.6 min | 33.7 min | Nashua + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waukegan leads in median household income at $97,263, while waukegan offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $239,865. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Waukegan. Waukegan has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Nashua scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.2%.
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